Florida Springs are Beautiful and Fun!

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Florida has an underground maze that links out all over the state. These links are the Florida Springs. Most of them are located in the center and northern parts of the state.

At most of these beautiful fresh water springs there are a variety of activities for you to enjoy, including, swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking and more.

Since some of the springs are connected to a Florida State Park there’s also camping, fishing, picnicking, shelling, bird watching and any other cool, nature loving activity you can think of. When I wonder where all the trees have gone, I go to a Florida State Park!

Florida springs are great for a hot summer day. Mainly because they reside at 68-72 degrees. At first this water may be shocking to the system. But, once you get acquainted you’re going to have a great time splashing around and exploring the spring.

Most of them charge a small fee to enter. It’s usually a charge per car load instead of per person. It ranges from $5-$10.

Also, most of the Florida State Parks don’t allow alcohol. Which makes for a safe, family atmosphere.

Some of the Florida springs you can swim in. There are recreational areas that you can use, including, restrooms, and showers.

The closest springs to Orlando, Florida and springs in Florida that allows swimming are:

Alexander Springs Recreation Area is the largest spring in the Ocala National Park. You can swim here, camp here and even bring your dog here (they have to stay on a leash and are not allowed in the swimming areas.)

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge allows swimming, snorkeling, boating, fishing, manatee and other wildlife viewing. Plus, it has a picnic area. There are no dogs or camping allowed.

At Fanning Springs State Park you may be able to see manatees during the winter months. You can enjoy swimming, picnics, children’s play area, and camping. Plus, dogs are allowed!

Ginnie Springs Outdoors is a little further north than the other springs. This particular spring offers a great amount of diving opportunities. If it’s scuba you’re looking for this beautiful blue water spring may be just the ticket. It also offers outdoor camping but no dogs allowed.

Warm Mineral Springs Resort and Day Spa is one of Florida’s only warm springs. With a year round temperature of 87 degrees. This spring in Florida is surrounded by a resort and day spa. There’s an entrance fee and no camping.

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the only Florida spring that offers a mermaid show. It’s one of the 33 largest springs in Florida. It’s also surrounded by smaller springs outside the park. It even offers swimming, snorkeling and a water slide! No camping and no dogs.

Wekiwa Springs State Park offers a great grassy area where you can picnic or just watch everyone hang out in the spring. It allows camping and dogs.

Blue Springs allows you to visit year round and still have a ton of activities to choose from. Including swimming, hiking, snorkeling or canoeing.

Blue Springs during the colder months still offers kayaking and canoeing. Plus, you may have the opportunity to see a Florida manatee.

Juniper Springs is located in the Ocala National Forest. It’s one of the oldest and most well-known Florida springs on the east coast.

Silver Glen Springs sits on the edge of the Ocala National Forest. It also offers recreational activities for the whole family. However, it doesn’t have toilets and showers like some of the other springs in Florida.

Kelly Park , also known as, Rock springs is one of my favorite springs in Florida. It has a great area to drop off into the water, the spring run is really calming and soothing and it’s just so much fun!

Florida Springs you cannot swim in:

Some springs in Florida have limited swimming or no swimming at all. This is usually due to these springs having a sensitive ecosystem. Some don’t have bathrooms for the same reason.

If you are a true nature lover you’d visit these springs to take in the sights. Most still allow boating, canoeing, kayaking.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park isn’t a spring you can swim or camp at. However, it offers some of the most beautiful wildlife. It has a native wildlife zoo and a rehabilitation center for injured manatees.

So make sure to clean up after yourself and to keep the water clean so the next generation can enjoy our beautiful Florida springs!

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